Fort Worth, TX — August 17, 2024, a man was injured in a pedestrian versus hit-and-run car accident at about 9:00 p.m. along Handley Ederville Road.

According to authorities, a 56-year-old man was traveling northbound on a motorized scooter on Handley Ederville Road in the vicinity south of Pebble Drive when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the scooter was struck by a northbound vehicle of unknown make or model. The vehicle allegedly fled the scene, the person(s) inside failing to stop and render aid of any sort to the victim.

The man reportedly suffered serious injuries as a result of the collision; he was transported to a local medical facility by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identity of the victim—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When someone operating a motorized scooter is seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash, like the incident reported on Handley Ederville Road in Fort Worth, it's natural to focus on the outrage of the fleeing driver. But once the initial shock settles, the far more important task is figuring out how the crash happened—and why it wasn’t avoided. That begins with three key questions that every thorough investigation must ask.

First, did investigators act quickly to gather all available evidence from the scene? In hit-and-run collisions, the first few hours are critical. Investigators should search for vehicle debris, paint transfer, and skid marks that might help identify the make and model of the vehicle involved. They should also canvass nearby homes and businesses for surveillance video, and check for any traffic or security cameras that might have recorded the crash or the fleeing vehicle. In a well-traveled corridor like Handley Ederville Road, that kind of footage may exist—but it won’t be available for long unless someone moves quickly to preserve it.

Second, has anyone explored whether a mechanical failure—either in the vehicle or the scooter—may have played a role? While the focus is often on driver behavior, it’s also possible that a failure in the scooter’s lights or control systems made the rider less visible or harder to avoid. Likewise, if the vehicle that struck the scooter had faulty headlights or brakes, that could have contributed to the crash. These are possibilities that require a forensic inspection of the involved vehicles, if and when the striking vehicle is located and the scooter is preserved in its post-crash condition.

Finally, has all available digital and electronic evidence been pursued? While the striking vehicle may not yet be identified, digital clues can often help. Traffic signal data, surveillance footage, dashcam recordings, and even GPS data from passing vehicles might have captured part of the incident. Additionally, the victim’s cell phone could contain location data that helps clarify movement and timing. All of this can be vital in piecing together how the crash occurred—and ultimately, who was responsible.

Answering these three questions is critical to making sure that no stone is left unturned in understanding the causes of a crash like this. Serious wrecks deserve serious investigation, not assumptions. Getting clear answers to these questions is crucial for those seeking to understand what happened and why—and it's the least that can be done to help those affected find the clarity and closure they deserve.